By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Ellis County commissioners directed county departments Monday night to decrease their budgets by 1.5 percent for next year to meet an estimated $1 million projected budget shortfall.
The commissioners also asked County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes to prepare the budget impacts of several other options including either a one mill tax increase or a half-cent countywide sales tax.
One mill in property tax would raise about $388,000. On a $175,000 home, that would equal about $20 per year.
Commissioner Dustin Roths said he did not think the county could move forward without increasing revenue.
“I hate asking for across the board,” Roths said of potential cuts, “but I think part of the problem of not asking for across the board is picking favorites and not expecting everybody to do their part in fixing this fiscal situation.
“As little as I would like to do it, I think we have to figure out a little bit of revenue. At that point, that is not popular, but I think it is something that will have to be done at the most minimum inconvenience to our citizens as possible”
Other cost-cutting moves included a proposal to decrease the county’s contribution to employee health insurance. It is currently 92.5 percent for family plans. Roths suggested that be decreased by 3 percent each year for three years.
He said he wanted county employees to bear the smallest burden as possible of the cuts.
“It is always tough to tighten your belt on things like that,” he said, “but as we have alluded to before, we’re losing control of that cost structure because we cover a percentage. When we cover a percentage, we don’t know what it is going to cost from year to year. It starts getting out of control, and I think that is what has happened now. I would rather compensate more in salaries and try to hire for these positions than be stuck with a financial compensation for health care.”
Commissioner Butch Schlyer suggested the county look at decreasing funding to outside agencies. The county currently pays $1.052 million to outside agencies. Schlyer suggested cutting that amount by as much as $300,000 and perhaps not funding some organizations the county is not statutorily required to fund.
About $281,000 goes to High Plains Mental Health, but the county has a legal obligation to provide funding to that agency, Smith-Hanes said.
“I don’t think our Ellis County government or its employees should just take the brunt of everything,” Schlyer said. “Those outside agencies are going to have to take a hit and a big hit.”
Commission Chairman Dean Haselhorst said he was on the same page as Roths and Schlyer.
He suggested department heads hold off on hiring to fill vacant positions.
“One employee with benefits is a lot of money,” Haselhorst said.
However, Smith-Hanes said he was not aware of many positions that would be opening up in the next six months.
The commission earlier in the meeting discussed what to do with about $1.4 million in excess county sales taxes that were collected to complete several county building projects.
The county directed administration to look at replacing the elevator in the law enforcement center and finishing the basement at the EMS services center so donated gym equipment could be placed in the area for use by first responders.
The elevator project was estimated to cost $250,000, and the workout room was estimated to cost about $31,000. Smith-Hanes said the elevator project would likely come in above that estimate, but finishing the basement might be able to be bid for less.
The commissioners said they wanted to retain the rest of the funds for use for future projects or transfer the balance to the general fund to make up for budget shortfalls in 2020.
Smith-Hanes said the commissioners’ direction Monday on the budget was a starting point and the department heads will appreciate the 1.5 percent in recommended cuts, compared to a 5 percent cut that would have been required if all of the $1 million shortfall came from county departments.
In other business, the commission:
• Approved the extension of the solid waste contract with the Finney County Landfill
• Approved the 2019 Noxious Weed Management Plan
• Approved change in hours at the transfer station to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The change will take affect April 1.
• Heard a report from County Counselor Bill Jeter on foreclosure proceeding.